Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) – Giō and Ginyo (Gijo)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳), 1797–1861 Title: Giō, Gijo (祇王 祇女) Series: Kenjo reppu den (賢女烈婦傳), Biographies of Wise Women and Virtuous Wives Technique: Nishiki-e, woodblock print in colours on paper Date: c. 1841–1842 (Tenpō 12–13) Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō (Ibasen) Format: Ōban tate-e, approx. [37 × 25 cm] Signature: Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga (一勇斎国芳画) Impression & Colours: Excellent. The impression is strong and sharp throughout, with crisp keyblock lines and fine detail preserved. The colors are well saturated. Paper: Very good. The paper is firm, intact with a couple of tiny repairs. About the Print This sheet comes from Kenjo reppu den, Kuniyoshi's series of famous women from Japanese history and legend who were celebrated for loyalty, devotion or moral courage. Each print pairs the subject with a biographical text panel, which makes the series a combination of bijin-ga and illustrated history. Impressions of this design are held by the British Museum and the Harvard Art Museums. The British Museum describes the scene as Giō and Gijo in their retirement, picking flowers. The story comes from the Heike monogatari. Giō was a celebrated shirabyōshi dancer and the favourite of the warlord Taira no Kiyomori. When the young dancer Hotoke Gozen replaced her in his favour, she was sent away from his household. Giō, her younger sister Ginyo (also read Gijo) and their mother Toji withdrew from the world, became nuns, and lived in a hermitage at Sagano, west of Kyoto. Hotoke Gozen later joined them there. The text panel on this sheet retells this story, ending with the three women taking up the religious life in Saga. Their retreat is traditionally associated with the temple Giō-ji in Sagano, which still exists today.

Estimate:$337.11

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